Research on NMN supplementation, its uses and effects, is ongoing and constantly advancing. This article outlines some of the most up-to-date research and trials happening in the NMN market.
Rewind 20 years – when a group of scientists discovered that yeast contains the SIRT1 gene, also known as sirtuins, which are known to control the aging process. Upon further research, these enzymes were found to be naturally occurring in the human body, where their primary function is regulating cellular stress response and repairing DNA. Studies progressed, finding that the activation of sirtuins require NAD+, which NMN is a precursor to. Presently, this information has taken the anti-aging industry by storm. If this is the first you are hearing about NMN, we invite you to visit our NMN 101 blog post here. Otherwise, read forward for the most up-to-date information on NMN.
Research on NMN, or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, has taken great strides in recent years, and while there is still much to learn, we are here to review all that we currently know.
NMN to Reverse Age-Related Vision Loss
Where better to start than with Harvard University’s acclaimed anti-aging researcher, David Sinclair, PhD, whose research on resveratrol, NAD+ and sirtuins is world renowned. Sinclair and Harvard team of scientists were able to successfully restore vision in mice by repairing aged eye cells in the retina. Their research involved mouse models and represents the first successful attempt to reverse glaucoma-induced vision loss. The findings remain to be replicated in further studies in different animal models, before any human experiments. Nevertheless, Sinclair believes their findings provide proof of concept, stating "If affirmed through further studies, these findings could be transformative for the care of age-related vision diseases like glaucoma and to the fields of biology and medical therapeutics for disease at large."
First Human Trials of NMN Completed on Prediabetic Women
More recently, Samuel Klein, MD, and colleagues of Washington University School of Medicine published a report in Science confirming that NMN improves the muscle insulin sensitivity of prediabetic women. This clinical study is the first to report the effectiveness of NMN on human health – A significant leap forward. The report explained that NMN supplementation is able to provide such results by enhancing insulin’s ability to trigger sugar absorption, while simultaneously increasing activity of genes involved in muscle structure and remodeling. Klein and colleagues were able to verify these findings by examining the gene activity patterns following NMN treatment.
Klein and colleagues also examined whether supplementing NMN really boosts NAD+ levels in human tissue. The trial group, composed of prediabetic women between the ages of 55 and 75 who were overweight, were given 250 mg capsules of NMN per day for 10 weeks. After the treatment course, their findings were that NMN significantly increased NAD+ levels in blood cells, which are also crucial components of the immune system.
“This clinical study is the first to report the effectiveness of NMN on human health – A significant leap forward.”
Recent Successes in NMN Mouse Models
A 2020 article published by Christopher Shade, PhD, reviews many recent findings on NMN and its abilities. Most notably, in numerous mouse models, it was found that NMN has been able to suppress age-related weight gain, enhance energy metabolism and physical activity, improve insulin sensitivity, improve eye function, improve mitochondrial metabolism and prevent age-linked changes in gene expression. Additionally, the article discusses new evidence that NMN is rapidly absorbed when taken orally, showing steep plasma NMN increases in mice at only 2.5 minutes.
What’s Next for NMN Research?
To date, NMN research has shown promising results and scientists remain devoted.
Now that the first effective human trial of NMN has been completed, we will expect ensuing research models and results. Until then, researchers caution that more studies are needed to determine whether NMN has beneficial effects on the explored areas. Samuel Klein, MD, of the aforementioned Science report stated, “Although our study shows a beneficial effect of NMN in skeletal muscle, it is premature to make any clinical recommendations based on the results from our study,”.
Additional ongoing human trials include scientists and researchers who are self-trialing, such as David Sinclair, PhD, who has reported substantial changes in his everyday life.
Mouse model results continue to be quite successful, creating anticipation for further animal trials and human experimentation.
Conclusion
Exciting strides have been made with NMN research, but whether supplementing NMN is truly a ‘fountain of youth’ for the masses will require more research. We continue to stay on top of industry news and will update readers as it materializes.